Motor Ombudsman Launches WORN-WARN Tyre Safety Campaign

The Motor Ombudsman has launched a new tyre safety campaign at the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event at Birmingham’s NEC, warning motorists about the risks of buying part-worn tyres. The WORN-WARN campaign, backed by TyreSafe, aims to help drivers understand the safety, legal and inspection issues linked to second-hand tyres.

A timely safety message for retailers

The campaign comes as household cost pressures continue to shape vehicle maintenance decisions. The Motor Ombudsman said its survey of 2,007 UK adults found that 31% would consider buying part-worn tyres if their vehicle needed replacements. That rose to 47% among drivers aged 25 to 34.

The same research found that cost was the main driver. More than two-thirds of respondents considering part-worn tyres cited saving money compared with buying new tyres. The Motor Ombudsman said this creates a clear role for garages and tyre retailers when advising customers at the point of sale.

The issue also sits within a wider retail challenge. Tyre News recently reported on rising tyre deferral among SUV drivers, with The Motor Ombudsman data showing repair businesses expect more customers to delay essential maintenance in 2026. That trend increases the value of clear tyre advice at the counter.

Hidden damage and weak consumer knowledge

Part-worn tyres are not illegal in the UK. However, they must meet strict conditions before sale. Business Companion guidance for England, Scotland and Wales says part-worn tyres must be correctly marked, structurally sound and free from defects such as exposed ply or cord, bulges, tears and unrepaired penetration damage. The original tread pattern must also be at least 2mm deep across the full breadth and circumference.

The Motor Ombudsman said awareness remains limited. Its research found that 43% of prospective buyers were unaware that sellers must mark eligible used tyres as “PART-WORN” on the sidewall. It also found that 69% did not know what a tyre’s Department of Transport code means, reducing their ability to judge tyre age.

Paul Brown, General Manager of the Tyre Division at The Motor Ombudsman-accredited Lindleys Autocentres garage group, and spokesperson for the ‘WORN-WARN’ campaign said: “As motorists continue to face increasing financial pressures, it can be tempting to cut back on vital car maintenance, as the recent Motor Ombudsman study has found. However, spending money on tyres should never be compromised, and buying new at a reputable fitter should always be the first choice regardless of budget, meaning consumers are not taking a gamble when it comes to a tyre’s condition.”

Paul added: “The ‘WORN-WARN’ campaign also provides garages and workshops, like ourselves, with a brand-new suite of eye-catching assets and tools to help educate motorists on what to look out for when buying and maintaining tyres – a subject that should not be overlooked.”

Stuart Lovatt, Chair at TyreSafe – an organisation which has championed tyre safety for two decades, explained: “Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, but millions of part-worn tyres enter the market every year with an unknown history, hidden structural damage, or inadequate inspection by either sellers or vehicle owners. They may appear great value on the surface, but they can unfortunately compromise braking performance, increase the chance of blowouts, and put road users at risk of serious harm.”

Stuart added: “We are delighted to be backing this valuable campaign by The Motor Ombudsman, which works perfectly in tandem with our continued work in educating consumers about making informed and safe choices, understanding the risks that used tyres can bring, and ultimately urging them to think twice before cutting corners.”

Why trade advice matters

For tyre retailers, the campaign reinforces a familiar but important point: part-worn tyre safety is not only a consumer issue. It is also a compliance, reputation and advisory issue for the trade.

In practice, the strongest retail response is not simply to warn against cheap tyres. It is to explain the difference between a compliant new budget or mid-range tyre and a used tyre with unknown service history. That distinction matters when customers are under financial pressure and may see part-worn tyres as a short-term fix.

Building on wider safety activity

The WORN-WARN launch builds on growing public-facing tyre safety work across the sector. Tyre News previously reported that TyreSafe’s 2025 Annual Review highlighted more than 240 partners, digital resources and enforcement projects supporting tyre safety awareness across the UK.

Tyre News has also covered TyreSafe’s Tyre Wall of Shame, which uses real-world images of unsafe tyres to help motorists understand defects such as bald tread, cracking, damage and underinflation. That type of visual education aligns closely with the WORN-WARN message, especially for garages using social media or counter-based advice.

The launch at the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event gives the campaign direct trade visibility. For workshops, tyre retailers and fast-fit operators, the message is commercially relevant as well as safety-led: informed advice can help customers avoid unsafe choices while still finding a replacement tyre that suits their budget.

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Tagged with: part-worn tyres, WORN-WARN campaign, The Motor Ombudsman, TyreSafe, tyre safety, used tyres, tyre retail, garage advice, tyre tread depth, tyre compliance, UK Garage & Bodyshop Event, tyre inspection

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